Bangkok: By the end of 2015, all projects on 'Rama 2' Road were completed and ready for service. Suriya is confident that by the end of this year, all projects on 'Rama 2' Road will be completed and ready to open for service. He has ordered the Department of Highways to strictly control all construction contracts and is focusing on eliminating PM2.5 dust. The results of the investigation into the collapsed crane are expected to take another month to conclude.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Minister of Transport, revealed the progress of the construction project on Highway No. 35 (Rama II Road), noting continuous advancements. The expressway project on Rama III - Dao Khanong - Outer Bangkok Ring Road (West), under the responsibility of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), reports an overall progress of 87.06%. All civil works are anticipated to conclude by November 2025, with guidelines for public opening soon to be considered.
Regarding expressway project No. 82, Bang Khun Thian - Ekkachai - Ban Phaeo (M82), spanning 25 kilometers, the Bang Khun Thian - Ekkachai section has progressed 98.42%, while the Ekkachai - Ban Phaeo section is at 70.60%. Civil works are slated for completion by November 2025. System works are in the investor selection phase, expected to finalize between 2025 and 2026, with construction starting in 2026 and completion by 2028. During this period, the public can drive through without tolls.
Mr. Suriya highlighted the expressway project on Rama III - Dao Khanong - Outer Bangkok Ring Road, Western side, comprising five contracts. As of January 2025, Contract 1 is 81.70% complete, Contract 2 is 94.72%, Contract 3 is 83.78%, Contract 4 is completed and operational, and Contract 5 is at 2.69%. All contracts are slightly ahead of schedule, with increased manpower and machinery ensuring timely completion. The road is expected to open to the public by 2025, emphasizing safety and minimal impact on road users.
Mr. Suriya also addressed the PM2.5 dust risk due to extensive construction on Rama II Road. The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Department of Highways, has deployed water trucks to spray roads and median strips under construction, as well as clean main and parallel lanes. If PM2.5 levels exceed 50 micrograms per cubic meter, high-pressure water mist will be used to capture dust in vulnerable areas.
Mr. Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director-General of the Department of Highways, provided further insights on the M82 construction project. Progress for the Bang Khun Thian - Ekachai Interchange contracts ranges from 98.13% to 98.73%, with expected completions between February and March 2025. The Ekkachai - Ban Phaeo section contracts show varied progress, with anticipated completions from August to November 2025. The Ban Phaeo project is 80.93% complete, also expected to finish by November 2025.
The fact-finding investigation into the November 2024 incident involving a concrete beam and steel structure of the M82 project is ongoing. The committee is conducting a thorough engineering analysis, considering evidence, technical data, and witness testimonies. Two assumptions were made: unsafe conditions in the steel structure and unsafe actions due to human control. The latter was recently concluded as the cause, with further witness questioning underway. The investigation is expected to conclude within a month, aiming to enhance public safety and confidence.